Despite widespread efforts to raise awareness of the dangers of high blood pressure, it affects one in four Canadians and is one of the leading causes of death globally. If you’ve ever thought about using marijuana for high blood pressure, then here we give you the lowdown of the potential benefits.
What is Blood Pressure?
Blood pressure is also known as hypertension and is the pressure behind the blood flowing through our veins. It rises and falls within a standard range as we respond to physical, environmental, and emotional shifts throughout the day.
Treating High Blood Pressure
Pharmaceutical intervention is the most common approach to treating high blood pressure. But its use often leads to unintended side effects. Patients can experience electrolyte imbalances, dizziness, fatigue, and muscle weakness.
Diet and lifestyle shifts can help reverse the condition, but people often struggle to commit to a lifetime of healthy living. As a result, many of those affected are turning to marijuana for high blood pressure.
Using CBD Oil to Correct High Blood Pressure
Scientific research suggests that CBD oil can help lower blood pressure, and it seems to work in a variety of ways:
- CBD acts as a vasodilator and opens blood vessels to improve the flow of blood.
- CBD acts as a hemodynamic regulator. This means that it normalizes the flow of blood and decreases pressure in the arteries.
- CBD is also a potent anti-inflammatory and can quell the inflammation resulting from unhealthy living.
- CBD helps reduce anxiety and stress. Stress has a known link to high blood pressure.
What Does the Science Say About CBD Oil and Hypertension?
Several studies have investigated how CBD oil can correct hypertension.
One study found that a single dose of CBD reduced blood pressure in a healthy group of male volunteers. After observing a reduction, researchers then exposed the volunteers to different stressors, including exercise and cold. Where an increase in blood pressure was expected, researchers found that the subjects who consumed CBD experienced a lower increase in blood pressure than otherwise expected.
Another study investigated how CBD doses of 150 mg, 300 mg, and 600 mg affected anxiety levels. Researchers quantified anxiety levels in the study by measuring vital signs including blood pressure.
They found the most significant reduction in anxiety and blood pressure with the 300 mg dose of CBD.
Are There Drawbacks to Using Marijuana for High Blood Pressure?
Much of the science on CBD as a treatment for hypertension is promising. However, the number of studies are relatively few, and the scientific community at large is unwilling to accept that CBD is effective at lowering blood pressure, mainly due to uncertainty around the long-term consequences of its use.
There is some evidence suggesting that blood pressure can sometimes drop too low after consuming cannabis oil. This is more common with the use of full-spectrum oil extracts that preserve the entire range of plant compounds including THC.
Marijuana for High Blood Pressure
Whether for maintaining general health or treating high blood pressure directly, cannabis truly has a wealth of benefits. Rather than relying on it alone to lower blood pressure, many encounter more favourable results when combining it with positive lifestyle shifts and a more holistic approach to healing.